The Definition of Progressive Rock

To me, "prog" and progressive rock are synonymous.

aglasshouse wrote: To me, "prog" and progressive rock are synonymous. I believe myself that progressive rock means rock with a larger focus on instrumentation and sophisticated structure, fusing rock with classical techniques of great composers. But in another mindset I can easily define it as a genre that progresses the general music environment in general as well. Also, having musical styles unique to their time. In the same vein, I believe that 'prog' is nothing but a shorthand and not an extension from the original genre; not a mindset, a lifestyle, or anything. Simple abbreviation. <span style="line-height: 1.4;">Alas, that is how I like to group things that I consider "progressive". </span> <span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span> <span style="line-height: 1.4;">I know others have different ways of defining it, so expound on your ideas. In the context of this site, your life, or just in general. </span>

You hit the nail on the head for me but I would also add that Progressive Rock tends to encorperate a lot of strange Jazz time signatures as well as displaying the musical characteristics mentioned above.

Trying to define genres is basicly nonsence, for a lot of good reasons.

When you try to over-analyze and deconstruct what prog and progressive music is, that is when you make these silly outlines that exclude so much music that belongs there.

Edited by Horizons - December 15 2015 at 10:57

Frosted Celt wrote: aglasshouse wrote: To me, "prog" and progressive rock are synonymous. I believe myself that progressive rock means rock with a larger focus on instrumentation and sophisticated structure, fusing rock with classical techniques of great composers. But in another mindset I can easily define it as a genre that progresses the general music environment in general as well. Also, having musical styles unique to their time. In the same vein, I believe that 'prog' is nothing but a shorthand and not an extension from the original genre; not a mindset, a lifestyle, or anything. Simple abbreviation. <span style="line-height: 1.4;">Alas, that is how I like to group things that I consider "progressive". </span> <span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span> <span style="line-height: 1.4;">I know others have different ways of defining it, so expound on your ideas. In the context of this site, your life, or just in general. </span> You hit the nail on the head for me but I would also add that Progressive Rock tends to encorperate a lot of strange Jazz time signatures as well as displaying the musical characteristics mentioned above.

Nah, odd time signatures were in classical before jazz, Eastern European music before classical, and Middle Eastern music before Eastern European. 

The Definition of Progressive Rock....

Mix some Mariah Carey, Sha Na Na and Michael Bolton well and then go in the complete opposite direction = Prog.

I feel that a certain "progressive spirit" is vital to prog. The "progressive spirit" was born from the progressive cultural values (peace, freedom, respect of people and nature) of the late 60s counterculture, and inspired rock musicians to create vast works of musical beauty expressing these values. I hear this spirit in classic-era prog, in neo-prog, in prog metal of the "Dream Theater school", but not in some bands and subgenres which emerged within the extreme metal genre since the mid-90s, such as Tool, djent, and tech metal. These may technically descend from prog, and those musicians tend to name bands such as King Crimson, Rush or even Yes as sources of inspiration - but that's nothing that can be discerned from their music. The "progressive spirit" is gone.